Quick Answer:  Artificial intelligence is creating a clear divide in construction: data-driven contractors are outperforming traditional contractors in bidding accuracy, profitability, and risk control. By using AI-powered estimating, scheduling, and analytics tools, these firms can predict outcomes, reduce costly errors, and deliver more consistent project results. In contrast, contractors relying on manual processes and experience […]

Quick Answer: Recent spikes in California contractor license bond premiums (up 25–50% in some samples) are likely not caused by surety rate hikes for the most part, but a widespread decline in contractor credit health and accumulated debt. Because these bonds are credit-based, sliding scores and a 200-300% surge in financing requests act as a […]

Updated for 2026 Legislative Session California Assembly Bill 1406 (AB 1406) is pending legislation that could impact how purchaser deposits are handled in certain real estate transactions involving 10+ units. While earlier versions of the bill proposed major changes to subdivision escrow practices, the bill has since been narrowed significantly. As of now, AB 1406 […]

Beginning January 1, 2026, Oregon landscape contracting businesses are required to carry a standardized $20,000 surety bond under changes driven by Senate Bill 864. This update affects both new applicants and currently licensed landscape contractors regulated by the Oregon Landscape Contractors Board (LCB). If you perform landscape construction work in Oregon, this change directly impacts […]

It’s important to have a firm understanding of your expenses before you make the decision to take on a construction project. We work with contractors on a daily basis to find the best solutions for their bonding and insurance needs, so see many financial scenarios with varying amounts of discretionary income available to take on […]

Let’s talk money. Some people have it, some people hoard it, and some people give it away. But one thing’s for sure—we all spend it. And with rising costs of living, inaccessible housing, higher education costs, and lower-paying post-graduate employment opportunities, today’s consumers may be stretching their dollars more than they’d like. But whose money […]

Break out your cozy sweaters and dust off your pumpkin-themed decor, because fall is officially among us. If you ask us, watching scary movies and visiting haunted houses are year-round activities. But there’s nothing quite like the uneasy feeling of a fright sending shivers down your spine with a crisp chill in the air. Of […]

We all know what it’s like to take that full inventory of all the different gadgets, tools, and general items you have in your kitchen: Maybe it’s because you’re moving out, or maybe it’s just time for that annual decluttering. While old standbys like the spatula or can opener are basically considered kitchen must-haves at […]

In recent months, the housing market has been overwhelmingly favorable to sellers and equally unfavorable for buyers looking for their next home. This means that those who currently rent are continuing to do so, even if they want to buy, and those who are venturing away from the nest for the first time are more […]

While grabbing that iced latte from Starbucks® every morning might only cost you a few dollars per day, a regular drive-thru coffee routine is just one of many common spending habits that can really add up over time. We took a look at the toll that different everyday splurges like coffee outings, happy hours, and […]